Pokemon GO: How To Take a Snapshot

The word “snapshot” is usually associated with taking a picture quickly with a mobile device or camera. But in Pokemon GO, there’s more going on with that term. With the help of augmented reality (AR) technology, Trainers can insert their Pokemon into the real world and take pictures of them in everyday settings. Snapshots allow Trainers to create cool images that you can share with everyone else.

In this article, you’ll learn all the information required to become an expert snapshot photographer in the Pokemon GO world. There are plenty of tricks and hidden secrets in this mode too. We’ll also tackle some questions related to the subject.

How to Take a Snapshot in Pokemon GO

Taking a Standard GO Snapshot

To use the snapshot feature, you need a compatible Android or iOS device. Using a supported device is especially important if you want to use Shared AR. Shared AR allows you to interact with two other Trainers and take AR snapshots not possible otherwise.

The requirements are:

• iPhone 6 and above running iOS 11 plus
• Android devices with Android 7.0 and above as well as being compatible with ARCore

ARCore, also known as Google Play Services for AR, is an app that enables your Android device to use AR features. Many supported devices have it already installed, but you can download it here if you can’t seem to find it. With ARCore, Shared AR is now possible.

To take a basic snapshot, follow these steps:

1. Launch Pokemon GO.
2. Go to the Pokemon menu.
   
3. Choose the Pokemon you want to take snapshots with.
   
4. Select the camera icon at the top right corner.
   
5. If you have AR+, wait until yellow footsteps appear.
   
   • If not, the game automatically places your Pokemon into the environment.
6. Tap the footsteps to drop your Pokemon into the world.
7. You can start moving around for good angles and lighting.
   • At this point, you can also tap the Pokemon to make them strike poses, adjust where they face, and recall for repositioning.
8. To take the snapshot, press the camera button again.
   
9. When you’re done with taking snapshots, tap the exit button and look at the gallery of photos.

How to Take a Snapshot of a Wild Pokemon

Did you know that you can take snapshots of wild Pokemon you encounter? You don’t have to own the Pokemon to take snapshots with it. You’ll find this function useful in some situations.

To take snapshots with wild Pokemon, follow these steps:

1. Launch Pokemon GO.
2. Roam around until you encounter a wild Pokemon.
   
3. Tap on it to go to the capture screen.
4. Tap the camera icon at the top of the screen.
   
5. Take a snapshot of the wild Pokemon by tapping the capture button at the bottom.
   
6. To exit, tap the trash can for deletion or the checkmark to confirm.
   
7. Tap the arrow at the left to go back to the capture screen.

Taking snapshots of wild Pokemon is usually part of events, Research Tasks, and more. Normal snapshots might not be as cool as using AR, but it’s still needed for the rewards these tasks net you after completion. Keep in mind that certain tasks ask you to take snapshots of specific Pokemon types.

Taking Snapshots With Your Buddy Pokemon

Your Buddy Pokemon is the Pokemon you’ll have a deeper relationship with after lots of interaction. By interacting with it more, you get closer to it. Eventually, your Buddy Pokemon will grant you access to some special perks that make the game easier for you.

For example, when you reach the highest level of Best Buddy, the Buddy Pokemon can offer the following perks:

• Let you appear on the map
• Let you read its mood
• Assist you in catching wild Pokemon
• Bring you presents
• Gift you Souvenirs
• Point you to interesting locations
• Boost your CP
• Wear the Best Buddy ribbon

How to Take a Shared AR Snapshot

If your phone qualifies for using AR+, then you can start using Shared AR Experience. You need at least one other Trainer physically around you to have a proper Shared AR session. Here are the instructions for creating one:

1. Launch Pokemon GO.
2. Start roaming around.
3. Tap your Buddy onscreen next to your Trainer portrait.
4. Select the Shared Experience icon that contains three people and a camera.
5. Select “Create A Group Code.”
6. When you receive a unique QR code, walk to other Trainers around you and ask them to scan the QR code.
7. Have everyone set their devices upright and point to the same 3D object on a flat surface nearby.
8. All of you must move left and right together until you see the yellow footprints and Pokemon shadows.
9. Tap the shadow to summon your Buddy.
10. Take a snapshot.

During a Shared AR Experience, you can feed your Buddy snacks or rub their heads as you would during solo play. Sadly, you can’t interact with your friends’ Buddies, and neither can they feed your Buddy. However, you can take snapshots just like in the AR camera mode. They can contain the other two Buddies as well, making for beautiful snapshots.

Adult accounts can access shared AR Experience, but it’s typically prohibited in child accounts like other social functions. If you’re a parent and want to grant the permissions, you can still do so. You need to visit the Niantic Kids Parent Portal or Pokemon Trainer Club.

To enable permissions, follow these steps:

1. Log into your Pokemon Trainer Club account at pokemon.com.
2. Find your child’s account, located on the left side of a menu.
3. Choose “Pokemon GO Settings.”
4. Accept the terms of service.
5. Grant your child the proper permissions.
6. Select “Submit,” and the settings will be updated when your child plays Pokemon GO.

You can revoke these permissions at any time as well. The steps are the same as above, only you uncheck the boxes you want to disable.

Increasing Your Buddy Levels

As a bonus, we’re going to talk about increasing your Buddy Levels too. Taking snapshots of them can only be done once a day, so you’ll have to try all the other ways as well. Sometimes it’s hard to fulfill all of them, but we decided to list them all so you can file them down for later.

There are a few things you can do to increase your Buddy Levels. They are:

• Walk two kilometers together up to three times a day.
• Give your Buddy a treat, up to three times a day.
• Play together once a day.
• Take a snapshot once a day.
• Visit a new location once a day.

When you get your Buddy excited, they will give you double the amount of hearts. You can feed a Buddy Poffins, but they cost 100 Coins each. Poffins are rather expensive, considering they only work for six hours each.

There’s also a hidden point system that allows your Buddy to become excited. To get them excited, you need to earn 32 points and use them as much as you can.

There’s a chart detailing the amount of points actions reward:

• Going to a new location yields one point.
• Walking for two kilometers yields two points.
• Feeding, playing, battling, and snapshots each yield a point.
• Opening a Souvenir or Present yields three points.
• Visiting the new location your Buddy found yields three points.

New areas include new gyms and Pokestops you’ve never visited before. Each activity has a 30-minute cool-down period before you can get points again, except for walking the two kilometers. To let your Buddy become excited, you need to do them all three times a day.

A visual cue to tell if your Buddy is excited is double hearts appearing beside the activities. Make sure to get as many hearts as possible, as putting your phone down will make your Buddy calm down. You’ll have to do everything over again.

As such, you can find your snapshots granting you two hearts instead of one. If you keep it up, you’ll level your Buddy up to Best Buddy sooner than you would if you didn’t make them excited.

Additional FAQs

Do you have to catch a Pokemon to take a snapshot?

No, you don’t have to catch or even own the Pokemon to take a snapshot of it. Taking snapshots of wild Pokemon was a part of April’s in-game events to celebrate the release of Pokemon Snap. The tasks required you to take snapshots of certain wild Pokemon while you were out roaming and catching them.

You can also take snapshots of your friends’ Buddy Pokemon in the Shared AR Experience. If you’re on a child account, make sure your parents grant you the proper permissions.

Can snapshot a friend’s Pokemon in Pokemon Go?

Only through the Shared AR Experience. The Pokemon must be a Buddy, or they won’t be able to appear on your phone. Sadly, there are no other ways to take snapshots of your friends’ Pokemon.

What is a photobomb in Pokemon GO?

The Pokemon Smeargle loves photobombing when Trainers take snapshots. It can photobomb a random photo of yours once a day. If you’re lucky, you can get photobombed right away after taking your first snapshot of the day.

During certain events, the photobombs can change to other characters in the Pokemon franchise, such as Ash, Meowth, and many more. Check if the events have a chance for these characters to appear first. If there are, try to get some photobombs in before the events are over.

That’s a Cool Snapshot

Snapshots in Pokemon GO are an essential part of the game, allowing you to grow closer to your Buddy, complete tasks, and get some incredible photos to look back on. Now that you’re quite the snapshot expert, you can fill up album upon album on your device. Just make sure you have enough space for them.

What’s your favorite photobomb when you take snapshots? Do you like taking snapshots of your Buddy? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.